Page 3 - Aerotech News and Review, June 25, 2021

Former AF test pilot is new NASA deputy administrator

by Jackie McGuinness Pam is extremely skilled, experi- were assembly missions to build the
NASA enced, and ready for this job,” Nel- International Space Station.
son said. “Pam is an ROTC graduate After graduating from United
NASA Deputy Administrator Pam and an Air Force officer. She was one States Air Force Test Pilot School at
Melroy took office June 21, 2021, af- of two female test pilots for the Air Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., in
ter she was given the oath of office Force and one of two female NASA 1991. Upon graduation, she was as-
by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson astronaut commanders; she’s logged signed to the C-17 Combined Test
during a ceremony at the Mary W. over 6,000 hours in aircraft and she Force, where she served as a test pilot
Jackson NASA Headquarters build- has logged many, many days in space. until her selection for the Astronaut
ing in Washington. D.C. And, now, Pam is the first woman as- Program. Melroy logged more than
“It is a joy to be back in the NASA tronaut to serve as deputy administra- 6,000 flight hours in more than 50
family, the smartest and most dedi- tor here at NASA.” different aircraft. She is a veteran of
cated workforce of any place that I’ve “I can’t think of anybody more Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm
ever worked. I always knew this was qualified to be the deputy adminis- and Operation Just Cause, with more
the most exciting place to work from trator. Pam’s service this country is than 200 combat and combat support
the time I was a child, inspired by the amazing, and it just gives me great hours.
first landing on the Moon,” Melroy pleasure to be able to work with you After serving more than two de-
said. “I’m very honored to be teamed in this leadership team; I can’t say cades in the Air Force and as a
with Administrator Nelson and our enough good things,” Associate Ad- NASA astronaut, Melroy took on a
Associate Administrator Bob Ca- ministrator Bob Cabana said. “It’s Air Force photograph number of leadership roles, includ-
bana and rest of the NASA team. We a real honor having Pam as part of Pam Melroy on the flightline at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., in the 1990s. ing at Lockheed Martin, the Federal
do have a lot of work to do, but it’s this leadership team. We have a lot of Aviation Administration, the Defense
our intention not to just lead today’s work to do, so let’s get to it!” going back to the Moon and going on ing NASA to the Executive Office of Advanced Research Projects Agency,
NASA, but also lead us forward into “Pam was my boss for a good pe- to Mars someday. It’s really exciting, the President, Congress, heads of fed- Nova Systems Pty, Australia, and as
the future and support the generations riod of time, as we worked on ad- and with Senator Nelson, Pam Mel- eral and other appropriate government an adviser to the Australian Space
of fantastic things that NASA will vanced vehicles. And I can tell you roy, and Bob Cabana, you guys have agencies, international organizations, Agency. She also served as an inde-
continue to do.” this, the folks that are going to be great leadership here, and the future and external organizations and com- pendent consultant and a member of
Melroy was nominated in April by working for Pam now are very for- looks great.” munities. the National Space Council’s Users
President Biden and confirmed by the tunate. She’s incredibly competent “Pam is uniquely qualified to help One of only two women to com- Advisory Group.
Senate on June 17. Along with Nel- — one of the best bosses I’ve ever lead NASA. It has been a privilege to mand a space shuttle, Melroy logged She holds a bachelor’s degree in
son, Melroy is responsible for provid- had,” Sen. Mark Kelly said. “So, I’m work with Pam throughout her career, more than 38 days in space. She physics and astronomy from Welles-
ing overall leadership, planning, and looking forward to the next several and now to see her assume this leader- served as pilot on two flights, STS- ley College and a master’s degree in
policy direction for NASA. years and beyond to see what NASA ship role. I couldn’t be more proud,” 92 in 2000 and STS-112 in 2002, and Earth and planetary sciences from
“What a grand occasion for us! can accomplish. NASA has big goals: said former NASA Administrator was the mission commander on STS- the Massachusetts Institute of Tech-
Maj. Gen. Charlie Bolden. 120 in 2007. All three of her missions nology.
“Pam has integrity, humility, em-
pathy, courage, and a sense of humor.
And I remember many, many occa-
sions where she was a person who
would speak up. She would have the
courage to come forward when it
would have been just as easy to sit
back. And she would always do it
with some humor and some grace,”
said Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency Administrator Ste-
fanie Kelly. “I think that today, more
than ever, those are qualities we need
and I’m so proud of the fact that she
is going to be helping to lead NASA.”
Melroy will perform the duties and
exercises the powers delegated by the
administrator, assist the administra-
tor in making final agency decisions,
NASA photograph by Bill Ingalls and act for the administrator in his
Pam Melroy is ceremonially sworn-in as the 15th NASA Deputy Administrator by absence by performing all necessary NASA photograph
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, as her husband Doug Hollett, holds their family functions to govern NASA operations. Astronaut Pam Melroy, STS-120 commander, floats into the Unity node of the
Bible, June 21, 2021, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Melroy also is responsible for outlin- International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery is docked with the
Washington, D.C. Melroy is a former NASA astronaut and Air Force test pilot. station. The entrance is filled with white stowage bags in September 2010.
ing the agency’s vision and represent-
FINI FLIGHT!

Maj. Gen. Christopher “Pi” Azzano completed his fini-flight as Air Force Test Center commander, June 9,
2021. After 31 years of service, Azzano will retire next month.
The fini-flight is a time-honored aviation tradition that represents the last flight of aircrew members before
he or she leaves the squadron, a wing, or retires from the flying status. Upon completion of the flight, the
aircrew member is hosed down by family and colleagues.

Air Force photographs by Tech. Sgt. Robert Cloys

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